Jogging assembly for packaging machines



. E. ODWYE y 2,523,540

JOGGING ASSEMBLY FOR PACKAGING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' sept., 26,195o Filed May 12, 1947 HHIIHIIH HHHHHIHHMlil Imlllmglllulln.

A@ 1 INVENTOR.

Sept- 26, 195oA R. E. DWYER 2,523,540

JOGGING ASSEMBLY FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Filed May 12, 1947 2Sheets-Sheet 2 um... ""IHHHIIM "EJ 1J '/IV 'nei fx Z0 36 INVENTOR.

BY.. I

ORNEYS.

Patented Sept. Y26, 195.0

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE' JoeGING ASSEMBLY ron PACKAGING MACHINESRobert Emmett ODwyer, Kansas City, Mo., as-

signor to J. A. Folger & Co., Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of NevadaApplication May 12, 1947, Serial No. 747,478

(Cl. 22B- 19) 9 Claims.l l

This invention relates generally to the field `of packaging andparticularly machines for automatically filling a large number ofcontainers with material requiring shaking or jogging in the containerin order toutilize as nearly as possible the full capacity of suchcontainers.

More particularly this invention relates to a jogging assembly forpackaging machines adapted to impart a jogging or shaking action to thecontainers as the same are being filled, which simulates the shakingaction that would be imparted thereto by manual manipulation of thecontainer, all to the end that the material, such as coffee or other dryproduct, is compact within all containers.

The most important object of this invention is the provision of ajogging assembly for packaging machines having a pair of elongatedrotatable rollers for receiving the containers being filled by themachine, said rollers being elliptical in cross section to impart aunique jogging action upon the container and the contents therein.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a joggingassembly for packaging machines having a conveyor for moving a number ofthe containers to a position where the same may be filled by the machineand having a bar underlying a stretch of the conveyor for automaticallylowering the containers upon the aforesaid rollers for a predeterminedperiod of time.

Another object of this invention is to provide a jogging assembly forpackaging machines having an assembly for holding the packages in placeupon the rotatable rollers which include a pair of spaced elongatedmembers reciprocable to and from a position engaging the tops of suchDackages.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a joggingassembly having the aforesaid means for moving the conveyor out ofengagement with the packages, means for interconnecting such conveyorelement with the holding means for the containers, to the end that thelatter moves into engagement with the containers as the same come toIrest upon the rollers.

Other objects of this invention include the way in which the major axesof the aforesaid elliptical shaped rollers are disposed in offsetrelationship as the same are simultaneously rotated, the manner in whichthe entire weight of the holding assembly rests upon the packages and isyieldably so held by a pair of springs and the way in which a camperiodically actuates an arm to simultaneously raise and lower theholding assembly and the conveyor lifting means.

Many other objects of this invention will be made clear or becomeapparent during the course of the following specicaton, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig, 1 is a fragmentary side elevational View of a packaging machineshowing the jogging assembly operatably associated therewith, partsbeing broken away for clearness.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view thereof, taken on line II-II of Fig.1.

Fig. 3 is a detailed cross sectional view, taken on line III--III ofFig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of one of thearms of the holding assembly, taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on linev V--V of Fig. l andlooking in the direction of the arrows, and

Fig. 6 illustrates the manner in which the bar 'M is mounted.

It is well known bythose skilled in the art that one of the mostdiflicult problems encountered in the packaging of materials, taking alight dry powdered form, such as coffee, is that of imparting a propereiicient shaking action upon the containers as the same are being filledto cause packing of such material. Many packaging machines in use todayhave jogging assemblies of one form or another as a part thereof butnone satisfactorily simulate manual shaking action.

Unique jogging action imparted to packages, which is accomplished by theassembly aboutto be described, has proved through use to be highlysatisfactory and the means for accomplishing this action forms the mostimportant feature of this invention.

Fig. 1 of the drawing illustrates fragm'entarily a packaging machine forcoffee. This machine, broadly designated by the numeral I0, has as apart thereof a suitable hopper (not shown) for the coifeeto be packaged.The coffee is directed into containers l2 through a plurality ofconduits I4, having their lowermost open ends held in position above thecontainers I2 by suitable framework I6. An endless chain I8 underliesthe conduits It and serves as a conveyor for the containers l2 to movethe same in side by side relationship from a point remote from themachine Il) in the usual manner. This chain I8 operates continuouslyWhile the machine IIJ is in operation to move a number of the containersl2 in alignment with the conduits I4 and its container. Moving action isinterrupted only while a number of the containers I2 are being filled,as hereinafter more fully described.

A pair of elongated rollers 2! and 22 are journalled for rotation insuitable bearings 24 and 2t at opposite ends thereof, which bearings aresuitably mounted upon a portion of the framework of the packagingmachine ill. These rollers rotated in any 'suitable manner. A primemover not shown has a drive shaft 36 upon which is mounted a gear 32.This gear 32, as Well as a pair of meshing gears 34 and 36 are mountedin a gear box 28, as shown in Fig. 5. Gear 32 meshes with gear 34 tosimultaneously drive both gears 34 and 36. Gears 34 and 36 are mountedupon shafts 38 and 48 respectively and each of these shafts 38 and 46carry a pair of sprockets 42 and 44, as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 alsoillustrates the manner in which one end of each of the rollers 2D and 22carry a pair of sprocket wheels 46 and 48 to receive a pair of chains 50and 52, which also pass over the respective sprockets 42 and 44 onshafts 38 and 4U.

It is clear therefore, that the rollers 28 and 22 are drivensimultaneously and at the same rate of speed when the prime mover 28,which constitutes an electric motor or the like, is operated. A portionof the frame of the packaging machine I8 illustrated by the numeral 54,pivotally carries a pair of spaced apart arms 56, as at 58. These arms56 each extend laterally from frame portion 54 and terminate directlyabove the conveyor chain I8, as shown in Fig. 2. These arms 56 carry aholding assembly broadly designated by the numeral 60.

This assembly comprises a frame portion 62 having a pair of dependingarms 64 at each end thereof. tion and are interconnected by a pair ofelongated bars 66. These bars 66 are slightly inclined, as shown inFigs. 2 and 4, to conform to the uppermost contour of the containers l2and each is lined with a soft material 66 such as a fabric or rubberizedsubstance to prevent breakage of containers I2 when the same are formedfrom glass and during the operation of the jogging assembly. Thisholding assembly 66= is pivotally mounted upon the arms 56 through themedium of a bolt or the like 18. Each of the arms 56 also carry adepending rod 12, which is pivotally secured to the respective arms 56,as at 13. These rods 12 each extend downwardly and below the rollers 28and 22 to join with an elongated bar extending laterally from the frame54. The rods 12 are each provided with a slotted head 11 at thelowermost end thereof to receive the bar 15, the latter of which ispivotally secured at one end thereof to the frame 54. The opposite endof bars 15 terminate below the roller 22 and in underlying relation tolegs 8l depending from an elongated bar 14. A set screw 19 secures head11 to bar 15. This bar 14 is at least co-extensive in length with therollers 2D and 22 and serve to hold the upper stretch of chain I8 in aposition for receiving the containers I2 when the bar 14 is at one endof its path of travel or as hereinafter more fully described.

The means for raising and lowering the holding assembly 60 andconsequently the bar 14 constitutes a pair of cams 16, secured to arotatable shaft 18, which cams 16 periodically engage a roller 80 oneach of the arms 56, as shaft 18 rotates.

The containers I2 are guided into position and held upon the conveyor I8as well as the rollers 28 and 22 by a pair of spaced apart walls 82,which extend upwardly to a position spaced above the top of thecontainers I2, as illustrated in Fig. 2, in overlapping relationshipwith the members 64. It is notable particularly in Fig. 3 that each ofthe rollers and 22 is elliptical in transverse cross section and thatthe major axes thereof are disposed in relative offset relation. In

These arms are in spaced apart relay 4 other Words, the major axis ofroller 2U is substantially perpendicular to the major axis of roller 22.

It is also to be noted that the holding assembly 60 has a plurality offunnels 84, depending from frame 62 thereof, which register withrespective conduits I4 and with the containers I2 when the latter aremoved into underlying relationship therewith.

-In operation the conveyor chain I8 is placed in operation by mechanismnot illustrated to move the containers I2 in a direction toward thepackaging machine I0. At the same time the prime mover 28 is energizedto cause continuous rotation of the rollers 26 and 22. As the chain I8operates to move a number of the containers I2 into filling relationshipwith the funnels 84, the shafts 18, Which are operated by a suitablemechanism forming a part of machine I0, has rotated to a position wherethe cams 16 engage rollers B0 and hold the arms 56 in a raised position.By appropriate action the cams 16 move into a position permittinglowering of the arms 56 when a group of the containers I2 are moved bythe conveyor I8 t0 a lling position below the funnels 84. This loweringof the arms 56 moves the bar 14 downwardly to a position where theuppermost stretch of the chain I8 is below the uppermost surface of therotating rollers 20 and 22. The containers I2 are thus brought to aposition resting upon the rollers 28 and 22 and at the same time theholding assembly 60 moves downwardly to rest upon al1 of the containersI2 below the respective filling funnels 84. It is readily seen that therotation of rollers 20 and 22 are imparting thereon a jogging actionupon all of the containers I2 resting thereon and that the weight of theassembly 60 upon the containers I2 will hold the latter tightly againstthe rollers 28 and 22.

A pair of springs 86 interconnect the arms 56 and one of the walls 82 tofurther aid in yieldably holding the assembly 60 tightly against thecontainers I2. After a predetermined period of time, governed by thespeed of rotation of the shaft 18, the containers I2 will be filled withmaterial and the chain I8 and holding assembly 68 both raised from theposition shown in Fig. 2, permitting conveyor I8 to move the filledpackages I2 from the machine to a point where sealing and otheroperations may take place.

Obviously the .peculiar shape of the rollers 2l) land 22, as well as thedisposition of their axes, causes a jogging action upon the containersI2 being filled, which closely approximates the shaking action whichwould take place if the containers I2 were manually handled. It isnotable that when the widest portion of one of the rollers 2D or 22engages the containers I2, the narrowest portion of the other roller`underlies these containers, and thus both a vertically reciprocableaction as well as a limited side action is imparted to the containers I2when the rollers 20 and 22 are rotated.

Fig. 6 illustrates the manner in which the bar 14 is mounted. As shownin Figs 1, 2, 3, and 15, there is a track for both the upper and lowerstretch of chain I8. Bar 14 forms a part of the uppermost track andshould extend Ibeyond rollers 20 and 22 at each end thereof. These endsof bar 14 (not shown in Fig. 1) are each carried by a dog 88 secured toa transverse rotatably mounted shaft 90. A pin and slot assemblly 92, inbar 14 and dog 88 respectively, form the connection.

'Thus as arms 'i5 are raised by upward movement of rods l2, legs 8l willbe contacted to cause bar l to be shifted to the full line positionshown in Fig. 6. Stop means (not shown) limit the extent of rotationoishafts 99 to the end that when arms l5 are at the lowermost ends oftheir paths oi travel, they will be spaced from legs 8l. Thus during theraising action of arms 56, holding assembly 9U will be raised beforearms l5 actually function to raise containers l2. Manipulation of setscrew i9 and the lock nut thereon as well as the head l'i because of itsthreaded attachment to rod T2 regulates the distance between legs Si andarms l5 when the same are in the lowered position.

While the assembly just described has been found to be particularlyadaptable for packing coiee and although glass jars have been shown asthe containers to be filled, it is to be understood that many differenttypes of materials could be packed through use of this assembly and thatonly minor changes would need Vto be made if diierent types ofcontainers were to be used.

In view of that fact, therefore, that many changes and modications couldbe made to the jogging assembly for packaging machines, forming thesubject matter of this application, it is to be desired to be limitedonly by the spirit of this invention and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A jogging assembly for packaging machines comprising a pair ofspaced-apart, horizontally disposed elongated rollers adapted to carry apackage to be jogged in overlying relationship therewith, said rollerseach having a plurality of unequal radii; and means for simultaneouslyrotating said rollers on their longitudinal axes, the major radii ofsaid rollers being relatively offset whereby jogging action is impartedto the package on said rollers as the latter are rotated.

2. A jogging assembly for packaging machines, comprising aY pair ofhorizontally disposed elongated rollers, each having a plurality ofunequal radii; means for simultaneously rotating said rollers on theirlongitudinal axes; a conveyor adjacent the rollers for the package to bejogged; and a bar normally holding said conveyor and the package carriedthereby spaced above the uppermost surface of said rollers, said barbeing shiftable to and from a position lowering the conveyor below therollers, said rollers being arranged to receive the package when saidconveyor is lowered.

3. A jogging assembly for packaging machines, comprising a pair ofhorizontally disposed elongated rollers, each having a plurality ofunequal radii; means for simultaneously rotating said rollers on theirlongitudinal axes; a conveyor adjacent the rollers for the package to bejogged; and a bar normally holding said conveyor and the package carriedthereby spaced above the uppermost surface of said rollers, said barbeing shiftable to and from a position lowering the conveyer below therollers, said rollers being arranged to receive the package when saidconveyor is lowered, said rollers being spaced apart, said conveyorbeing disposed between the rollers.

4. A jogging assembly for packaging machines, comprising a pair ofhorizontally disposed elongated rollers, each having a plurality ofunequal radii; means for simultaneously rotating said rollers on theirlongitudinal axes; a conveyor adjacent the rollers for the package to bejogged; and a bar normally holding said conveyor and the package carriedthereby spaced above the uppermost surface of said rollers, said barbeing shiftable to and from a position lowering the conveyor below therollers, said rollers being arranged to receive the package whenl saidconveyor is lowered, said rollers being spaced apart, said conveyorbeing disposed between the rollers, said bar underlying the packagecarrying stretch of said conveyor and having means for shifting the samethrough a vertical path of travel.

5. A jogging assembly for packaging machines, comprising a pair ofspaced-apart elongated rollers, each rotatable on a horizontal axis;means for moving a plurality of packages to be jogged to a positionoverlying said rollers; structure for lowering said package moving meansto a posi- -tion below the uppermost surface of the rollers when thepackages overlie the rollers, said rollers being arranged to receivesaid packages in resting relation thereon when said means is lowered;reciprocable apparatus; and means for reciprocating said apparatus, saidreciprocable apparatus having parts adapted to engage the packages andhold the same against the rollers when said apparatus is at one end ofits path of travel and when said packages are resting on the rollers,said rollers each being elliptical-shaped in transverse cross sectionwhereby jogging is imparted to the packages as the rollers rotate.

6. A jogging assembly for packaging machines, as set forth in claim 5,wherein said apparatus and said structure are operably interconnectedwhereby said parts move into engagement with the packages as the latterare moved to a position resting upon the rollers by said structure.

7. A jogging assembly for packaging machines as set forth in claim 5wherein said parts cornprise a pair of spaced apart members overlyingthe packages and. arranged to bear against the uppermost face of thepackages when the apparatus is at said one end of its path of travel.

8. A jogging assembly for packaging machines las set forth in claim 5wherein said parts comprise a pair of spaced apart members overlying thepackages and arranged to bear against the uppermost face of the packageswhen the apparatus is at said one end of its path of travel, and whereinsaid apparatus is provided with yieldable means for holding the membersagainst the packages, as the latter are jogged by the rollers.

v9. A jogging assembly for packing machines as set forth in claim 5,wherein a major portion of the weight of said apparatus is carried bythe packages when said parts of the apparatus engage said packages.

ROBERT EMMETT ODWYER.

REFERENCES CTED The following references are of record in the

